Culture. Cult. Tribe

A few definitions. 

cult -  1. a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

culture - 1. (third bullet) the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.

tribe - 1. a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and dialect, typically having a recognized leader.

I've worked for a couple of smaller professional services firms and have experienced a dichotomy.

In the first company, the "culture" was very "cult-like." The office represented and revolved around a particular figure.

In the second, the "culture" is ambiguous. In fact, I'm not even sure if one exists-- there might actually be specific pockets of culture. 

There's the owner and then there's everyone else. 

It follows the Les McKeown framework for small businesses of Visionary - Operators - Processors; where the gap between the Visionary and the Processors is rather large. 

I'd argue that the other company that I used to work for is also on a similar trajectory. 

Common sense would tell you that it's easier to find your tribe. in a larger firm or company, than a smaller one. 

Unfortunately, I don't think that many of us realize the importance of what belonging to a tribe really means. 

We cloud our judgment with reasons such as, "I want to stop traveling," or "I just want to get out of the rat race," or "My family is more important right now." 

Those are all good why's, but you cannot ignore the fact that you will spend just as much time working, if not more, then you will spending time with your family. 

So you might as well make sure that the place you go to is where you belong.

Based on how much attrition there is in today's environment, that obviously is not the case.